MY 419 STORY
•World Bank chief reveals how he was defrauded
and the EFCC intervention
By TONY UDEMBA
Thursday, May
1 , 2008
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Photo: Sun
News Publishing |
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When Mr. Ishmael Lightbourne, executive director of the World
Bank, ran into a traditional ruler who goes by the name ‘Mustapha,’
abroad and learnt that the latter was a ‘diplomat,’
he could have counted his luck.
This was even more so as the ‘diplomat’ told him
he had some business connections in South Africa, Ghana and
Mali and wanted a partnership to explore them.
Lightbourne, who wanted to make investment in Africa, had
jumped at the offer, perhaps hoping that the friendship of
a ‘diplomat’ would be worth the while. Unfortunately,
he miscalculated, as ‘Mustapha’ milked him dry.
Not even his training as accountant and a chartered accountant,
for that matter, raised his antenna to know that he had entered
into the trap of a fraudster or what is called ‘419’
in local parlance.
Before his eyes were opened to the fraudster’s game,
he had lost $1.4 million.
However, luck did not desert Lightbourne totally. He shouted
to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which
came to his rescue. So far, the EFCC has recovered some money
from the fraudster, which was given back to the World Bank
chief. The anti-graft commission has also promised to recover
all the money involved and return same to him.
Lightbourne spoke to Daily Sun on his experience
and the EFCC intervention. He is full of praise for the anti-graft
commission for its professionalism. He also sets an agenda
for the Federal Government in the fight against corruption.
How and when did you get involved with ‘Mustapha,’
who eventually duped you?
A friend introduced me to Mustapha from Africa, who wanted
my assistance, financial and otherwise, on a transaction he
was engaged in. I met Mustapha personally, in the summer of
2002 and he represented himself as a career diplomat for Nigeria
with involvement in South Africa, Ghana and Mali. He invited
me to become involve in a mineral and mining venture in Ghana.
I was introduced to the Chairman of the Ghana Mining Corporation,
with a view to becoming involved in investments in the mining
and extractive industry.
How much was involved?
Over the period of about two years, 2002 to 2004, I transferred
approximately US$1.4 million to Mustapha.
How much has the EFCC recovered?
I learnt through my legal representatives in Nigeria that
the EFCC has recovered approximately US$800,000 in assets
from Mustapha and others of his associates. However, I have
not yet received a direct confirmation from the EFCC in this
respect. However, through Mr. Lamorde, who was then director
for the EFCC, I received a total of US$80,000 between 2004
and 2005. I have not received anything thereafter, but I am
hopeful that once the case against Mustapha is concluded,
there would be the possibility of a substantial distribution
in the near future.
What is your level of confidence in the EFCC, especially
now that Lamorde has taken over?
To my knowledge, Mr. Lamorde's involvement in this matter
commenced around December 2004, at which time he notified
me that the EFCC was investigating the fraudulent activities
of Mustapha and urged me to cooperate with his investigation.
I provided documentary evidence of the payments made to Mustapha
for investment purposes and he promised that the money would
be recovered and returned. I have had communications with
Mr. Lamorde several times during the past four years, in his
capacity as director of the EFCC and he has always assured
me that once the court case is concluded, the funds already
recovered would be returned.
I accept his assurance entirely and because he is thoroughly
familiar with my case and now in his capacity as acting Chairman
of the EFCC, I am even more convinced that once the case is
successfully completed, the funds would be returned.
What is your view about the recent Nigeria's position
on Rule of law and fight against corruption?
The country of Nigeria has suffered greatly in the eyes of
the international community because there is a perception
that fraudulent practices are rampant, not only within the
country itself, but in the aggressive and relentless practice
of some of its citizens to fraudulently manipulate people
from any country. This certainly is not a good reputation
for a country to have and certainly, should not be the kind
of reputation that the Nigerian citizens would want its beloved
country to have. Accordingly, it is incumbent upon the Nigerian
government to not only establish but also implement the rule
of law to fight the ugly scars of corruption and to restore
the good name of its country.
Based on your experiences with the "419"
dupes in Nigeria, what lessons have you learnt?
I still receive many scam communications via e-mail, fax and
ordinary mail. I have learnt from bitter experience and from
the several documentaries that have been shown on the ‘419’
scams to stay as far away as possible from this unlawful and
dangerous business.
What assurances has the EFCC given you to recover
fully your money?
I have received assurances from the EFCC from time to time
that it would make every effort to recover my money. The process
has been long and sometimes I have felt that the goal would
not be accomplished. I was particularly concerned with the
fact that my repeated request of the EFCC to disclose exactly
the amount of money they have recovered so far has gone unanswered.
But I have not lost hope and now with Mr. Lamorde's elevation
to the position of acting Chairman of the EFCC I have even
greater expectation of a substantial recovery of my funds.
What is your advice to Nigerian government in her war against
corruption?
The Nigerian government is the custodian or the trustee of
the good name of the people and country. It, therefore, has
a representative and responsibility to vigorously promote
and uphold the good name of Nigeria and to implement measures
to eradicate corruption for the sake of its own citizenry
and to rid the rest of the world of this menacing problem.
The country should continue to fight corruption both at home
and abroad and to work assiduously to build strong institutions
and citizens of good character and to raise the national consciousness
to fight against corruption in all forms and places. The government
should establish good governance in all government institutions
and to urge its citizens and private sector corporations to
do the same.
It should also practise the golden rule: ‘Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you.’
What connection do you have with Global Society for
Anti-corruption?
I am deeply indebted to the heroic and bold efforts of the
NGO, Global Society For Anti-Corruption; its President, Frank
Ezeona and others in the organization for their hard, unselfish
and untiring work to rid Nigeria of corruption. I am grateful
for their efforts to restore money and property to those,
like myself, who have been defrauded. The government and people
of Nigeria also owe the organization a debt of gratitude because
of their work to rid Nigeria of corruption and establish good
governance and the rule of law. Unfortunately, this organization
needs more recruits and needs greater funding from the public
and the government, if it is to carry on its noble mission
to banish corruption and to restore stolen property to their
rightful owners.
The group’s president has been particularly strong and
diligent in representing me sometimes without the proper funding.
He has kept me informed about every new development in the
case and has given honourable and professional representation
so far. For this, I am truly grateful.
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